“It’s okay. I’m not scared.”
I’ve spent most of my life working in the theatre, so when I first started thinking about writing, it seemed like such a solitary art. It didn’t take me long to realize how wrong I was. So many people have a hand in bringing a book to life that, in the end, it’s just as collaborative an act as putting on a play.
First and foremost, I need to thank my family. My mother and father raised their three children in a house where books and words were a part of our daily lives from the very beginning. My mother, Anna Myers, is the author of many wonderful middle grade novels, and my father, Paul Myers, was a poet. Their examples meant that, when I did decide to start writing, I knew it was actually a thing real people could do. Thanks especially to my mother, whose absolute faith in me prompted me to give this a try. And to my son, Paul, who wasn’t a bit surprised when I told him I was writing a book, because that’s just what people in our family do. Thanks also to my sister, Anna-Maria Lane, for always being up for a phone call or a lunch date when I needed a break, and to my brother, Ben Myers, an exceptional Oklahoma poet whose writing continually inspires me. My whole extended family deserves to be mentioned here, but I want to specifically to list my cousin, Becky Kephart, who is one of the most genuinely enthusiastic cheerleaders anyone could have, and our friend Lela Fox, who isn’t actually related to us but definitely deserves to be counted here among my family. Thanks to all of you for everything!
Thank you to my agent, Pete Knapp, who first read this book over the Fourth of July weekend, even though I didn’t really believe him when he said he would. Pete, I’m blown away by your passion for great stories, your clarity of vision, your kindness and generosity, and your absolute dedication to the authors you work with. To everyone else at Park & Fine, thank you! I can’t imagine a better literary home. I especially want to mention the foreign rights team, Abigail Koons and Ema Barnes.
A huge thank-you to my wonderful editor, Ruta Rimas at Razorbill, who saw from the very beginning what this story could be. Your enthusiasm for this book was unmatched. You made this whole process so easy and seamless, and this nervous debut author is eternally grateful for your guidance, your expertise, and your patience.
Thank you to so many other wonderful team members at Razorbill and Penguin Young Readers who made this possible, including Casey McIntyre, Felicity Vallence, Kaitlin Kneafsey, Gretchen Durning, James Akinaka, the wonderful marketing and sales teams, and all the rest who work behind the scenes like Jayne Ziemba and Abigail Powers, and Kristie Radwilowicz, who designed the gorgeous cover.
I owe a huge debt to my critique partners turned best friends and brunch buddies – Tiffany Thomason, Brenda Maier, Catren Lamb, and Valerie Lawson – who have read this book so many times they can quote it by heart now. You are amazing and I love you! Thanks also to the entire Margarita Night gang who have kept me going with the promise of good food, good conversation, and lots of laughter every Wednesday evening; to all the members of SCBWI Oklahoma; and to the other authors in my incredible debut group, The 21ders. I couldn’t wish for more supportive communities to be a part of. Thanks also to everyone at the Philbrook Museum of Art, the most beautiful place in Oklahoma and the best place ever to work!
Last, I want to send all my love to the STAGES theatre kids who taught me so much over the years about friendship, passion, loyalty, bravery, and found family. I was working on revisions for this book when we lost our beloved Caitie very suddenly and much too soon, and so much of that grief and loss made its way on to these pages. I know she would have had to read this story with all the lights on, but I also know she would have loved it anyway . . . because she loved me. I’m so grateful to Caitlin’s grandmother, whom she called Honey, for dragging a crying seven-year-old into my theatre twenty-four summers ago and changing our lives forever.
In closing, I’d be remiss if I didn’t thank my college boyfriend, Garrick, who first introduced me to the bayous of south Louisiana all those years ago. He probably won’t ever read this, but if he does, I’d like him to know that my alligator obsession endures.
Look out for the next thrilling novel by Ginny Myers Sain, coming in 2022 . . .
More high voltage reading from Electric Monkey, out now!